The first thing you need to do is reword the heading of the this thread, as it gives people the idea that you rebuilt these for me, which you did not. So change that to "For Caligula, these are the machines I've rebuilt!

That said, these are beautiful, and you do great work. However, as my G-4 was bought new, and registered with Scott/Fetzer, that's where it's going for a rebuild.

Most of my vacuum cleaners were in perfect running order when they went into storage back in 06, and aside from cords that cracked due to changes in temperature, and ravages of time, they all should run now. The restoration is to clean, polish and get them ready to display, but are not going to be used.

Right now we're in deep snow, and I live in a large log cabin in the woods. As for the building where the collection is, that's a mile away. Once the snow on my driveway is cleared, I'll go through the boxes of tools, and ship the parts I promised people before Christmas. I'll also bring the Kirby 1-C, and 2-C home to determine the work required. And after I get the G-4 back from Kirby, I'll contact you about getting the bag and sani-em-tor.

But please understand that I'm 63, retired and on a fixed income. The only other pressing project after rebuilding the G-4 is the Convention in June. Returning to the company I know so well is a must.

And again, let me say that those machines look great!

Alex Taber.

That's better!

Once this latest blizzard is over, and I can bring the Kirby's back here I'll start the next phase. You are probably thinking "why can't he do the restoration in the basement?" logical question, but the basement is 50 degrees year round, and I'd have to do the restoration in the main house. Trust me, it will happen, and once I get started it will go fast, but there are other projects that eat up both time and money.

Alex Taber.

Not only did I buy my G-4 new, but bought it from the man I'd worked for 10 years earlier. In fact, he was the man who suggested I become a trainer.

I'd retired from Kirby, and was running a cat kennel (see picture) in my home. I had dozens of vacuum cleaners, and even a number of Kirby's, but I wanted a new one, so I called my former boss, Will Hart, and asked him to bring over a new Kirby, telling him it would be a cash sale!

Will certainly knew my love of old machines as I'd worked a history lesson into the fourth of the five classes in each training program. He also contributed greatly to my collection, as the bulk of it were trade-ins from his office. What he did not know was that I had the museum of the V.C.C.C. in my home. When he saw that, he was blown away! Certainly, there was no need to demo, and I bought the complete unit. The transaction lasted ten minutes, then he stayed for two hours as we talked about 'old times' over coffee.

That G-4 got a lot of use and was my daily driver along with my Electrolux LX both in Naperville, Illinois, and La Mesa, California till November, 06, when both went into storage.

About a year ago, a club member was selling a Kirby Classic 111, and I bought that, but it has the old sani-em-tor and bag, since I have a golden retriever that sheds, her fur is everywhere, and I need a Kirby with a disposable bag, plus a Miracle head for the hardwood floors. Besides, I want to use my G-4 again. 

The process has begun and I'm waiting to hear from the rebuild department at Kirby to get the ball rolling.